Eczema Home Treatment
from Web MD

Home remedies for eczema may be as simple as changing your laundry detergent or as difficult as moving to a new climate or changing jobs. Removing whatever is causing the allergic reaction is the easiest and most effective treatment.

Prevent dry skin by taking warm (not hot) showers rather than baths. Use a mild soap or body cleanser. Dry yourself very carefully and apply moisturizing skin lotions all over your body. Avoid lotions with fragrances or other irritating substances.

Avoid wearing tight-fitting, rough, or scratchy clothing.

Avoid scratching the rash. If you can't stop yourself from scratching, cover the area with a dressing. Wear gloves at night to minimize skin damage from scratching.

Anything that causes sweating can irritate the rash. Avoid strenuous exercise during a flare.

If the allergy-causing agent cannot be removed or identified, the next step is to lessen the allergic inflammatory response.

Apply a nonprescription steroid cream (hydrocortisone) along with anti-itching lotion (menthol/camphor, such as calamine). The cream must be applied as often as possible without skipping days until the rash is gone.
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) in pill form may be taken for the itching. Caution - you should not take this medication if you need to drive a car or operate machinery as it will make you sleepy.
Clean the area with a hypoallergenic soap every day. Apply lubricating cream or lotion after washing.
Avoid physical and mental stress. Eating right, light activity, and adequate sleep will help you stay healthy, which can help prevent flares.

Do not expect a quick response. Eczema is easier to control than cure.

I haven't been around lately, so I'm sorry for posting a reply to this so many days after it was posted.
As a mom of two with eczema, I wanted to add a tip. Regular Crisco works great as a moisturizer that does not have any side affects.
If you have a child that has eczema, do not put them in footed pajamas. This can cause sweating in problem areas (usually in the folds..such as fold of arms, back of legs, etc.) and will cause a flare up.
Some people can use baby oil after a bath/shower, but some can not. If it is noticed that the rash is getting worse, discontinue use immeditately.
Some anti-itch creams/lotions also cause stinging if the area has been scratched recently. Be prepared for that if your applying it to someone other than yourself.

I have noticed that the Crisco does not sting unless the area is raw. And even then it isn't as extreme as it would be if I used another product. Some prescription creams from the doctor have a side affect of turning the skin yellow. That combined with the fact that it was hurting my son when I put it on him caused me to speak to our doctor about alternatives. He told me about the Crisco and we haven't looked back. There isn't a known reason for eczema, just ideas of what can cause it and how to treat it. Some people outgrow it..which my daughter has been doing over the last couple of years. We are waiting to see if our son is going to out grow it.
Winter seems to be when out breaks happen a lot, due to dry heat and extra clothes. One would think summer would be the worse, due to humidity and heat..but apparently not. lol At least not in my household.
Also, try double rinsing clothes to see if that helps. Sometimes detergents don't rinse clean the first time and that will cause a rash even with those that don't have eczema. If that doesn't work, then try switching types and/or brands. Some people can not handle powders but do well with liquid by the same company.

Oatmeal baths and lotions are soothing also. Especially for those under the age of 2, when unless the eczema is extreme, they will not be prescribed any type of medicine for it.

It has also be found that there is a connection between eczema and asthma, so keep an eye on that. Thankfully, my children do not have asthma to go with it. Oh, also if you smoke that can irritate the skin and cause an outbreak.

Sorry, for such a long post right off the bat.. But, I have dealt with this skin problem for many years. It is horrible to see someone you love deal with the extreme itching and pain that it can cause. Or to deal with it yourself.

Thank you, Lady Alpha, for the info about the Crisco.  My Mom suffers, all of the sudden, with severe excema, and is miserable.  I will pass the "crisco" info on to her as she is taking all kinds of medications and doesn't really need to add more to the list!  I know she is already taking some sort of medicine for it.  I also thought it was interesting to see that Asthma can contribute to it as she has that, COPD, AND diabetes, poor woman.
I love her so much it hurts to see her suffer so.
Again, thank you!

Oh your very welcome. I have to admit I wouldn't have thought of it if my kids doctor hadn't mentioned it. He made a good point for it..not only is it a great moisturizer, but if a child gets it in their mouth it won't hurt them.

I understand how you feel with your mom, my mom also has COPD with emphasima (sp?), heart disease and other problems. She just had surgery to remove her gallbladder and then had to go immeditately back in due to a blood clot in her leg from being removed from the blood thinners for the surgery. So they finally went in and removed the clot and vein. Now she is learning how to deal with having the most circulation in that leg than she has had in years.
And the meds..omg, the amount of meds they can put a person on is unbelievable! I worry about that, due to the possibilities of interactions with each other. But, doctors are doctors and they say she needs them all. I don't know how she keeps them all straight myself, but she can tell you what she takes and when..and keep track of what the hospitals and other doctors in the past have given her. Plus what she is allergic to.
If I had to remember all that (especially the page and a half of meds she takes), I would die from either lack of taking something or from getting stuff mixed up in my head and getting a med I was allergic to. lol

I hope your mom finds relief. Eczema sucks but it can be controlled.
Oh, I learned about the asthma thing from an e.r. doctor in Green Bay. My son had it on his head and she noticed it while checking to make sure he only had a bump on his head and nothing serious and asked if she asked if he had asthma too. When I gave a stupid look along with the answer "no" lol..she explained that they can go hand and hand. So I was told to keep an eye on him. But, knock on wood, that has not developed. One of my aunts has it real bad and her son was on a special machine (sorry can't think of the name off hand) when he was little for his.

Nebulizer--the name of the machine.  My daughter was on one for a while when she was little.  She grew out of it, though...lol.

Thank you..I was thinking that was the name of it, but then I second guessed myself..lol Thankfully he outgrew it also. My aunt's asthma is still bad at times though. So I have always kept an eye on my kids, just incase something came up.